We’re home! It was a whirlwind trip to Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. What a fun and crazy trip!!

(fair warning…picture heavy post)

My first time flying in over 25 years started with a full and thorough patdown from TSA and Mini-me getting her backpack searched. Evidently, we looked very dangerous. Our red-eye flight to Montana was otherwise uneventful…thank goodness.

The next morning I woke early as usual and walked out to greet my friend’s backyard chickens.

After we packed up the car we headed to pick sweet corn at her Aunt and Uncles farm before heading to Idaho.

We had a bit of trouble….we spent two hours stuck in the mud before her uncle and cousin came home and yanked us out of the mud with the tractor. For the record…I wasn’t driving.

Much later than expected we made it to the cabin. It was so inviting…perfect for the 5 of us. 

Once again I woke early and enjoyed a cup of coffee in the brisk morning. 

Her Aunt feeds the hummingbirds so I was able to have lots of entertainment with my coffee. 

They even have these hand feeders…if you sit still enough they will drink from the container on your hand.

After a late breakfast, we ventured out to do a bit of sightseeing. A waterfall, historic ranch village and tourist shopping in West Yellowstone. Just as we got back to the cabin dark clouds rolled in and we had sideways rain and hail…thankfully the hail was pebble sized and the storm blew through quickly. We ate dinner, played games and went to bed early since we had a really big day ahead of us.

I highlighted our trip through Yellowstone.

Obligatory entrance sign photo

Old Faithful

Grand Prismatic geyser basin. This photo doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of the amazing beauty we saw. Or the vast area this covered. I’m sparing you the 35 photos I took at this one site alone.

Again the obligatory photo at the continental divide. I’m breaking my rule with this post of not showing our faces…but we both have big sunglasses on.

It was later afternoon by the time we reached the West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake. There is a geyser basin alongside the lake so we stopped to check it out.

As we continued our drive we got to the area of the park that wildlife is more prevalent. When we saw a massive amount of cars parked along the side of the road and some Park Rangers we knew there must be a bear.

Yep…a bear eating a bison. Thank goodness for the long lens that I was able to zoom in a bit. Otherwise, it just looked like a brown rock in the distance.

Later we saw hundreds of bison…some in the distance and some up close and personal.

After leaving the park we got on the Beartooth highway. It is not for the faint of heart…let me tell you. This was just one of maybe dozens of switchbacks. 

The elevation was high enough that there was still snow on the mountains. …oh yeah…notice the lack of guard rails…yikes!!

We made it safely back to Billings Montana after 12 hours in the car. It was along but truly memorable day. Memorable three days really! Our girls got along. We enjoyed some actual facetime. We laughed until I was crying and snorting…so ladylike. So. Much. Fun!!!

This week is back to reality…high school orientation for mini-me, college move-in for J, mini-vacation in Wisconsin, etc. Gosh, I’m tired already!!